Shafiul for Trophy, Nasir for tri-series

Bangladesh name squad for Ireland tri-series, Champions Trophy

Batsman Nasir Hossain was handed a much-anticipated recall in the national team but only for the tri-series in Ireland as selectors ignored him for the ICC Champions Trophy in England. The Minhajul Abedin-led committee on Thursday named separate squads for both Champions Trophy and preceding tri-nation in Ireland with no major surprise in either set-up. Fit-again paceman Shafiul Islam was included in the 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy, the only major change from the squad that recently travelled to Sri Lanka to draw three-match one-day international series 1-1. Shafiul, who last played against England at home in October, replaced Subashis Roy while wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan and all-rounder Shuvagata Hom, who were part of the ODI squad in Sri Lanka but did not play any game, missed out. Chief selector Minhajul Abedin said Shafiul was also under their consideration for Sri Lanka tour but they could not take him there due to concerns over his fitness. ‘Of late he [Shafiul] has been one of our best bowlers. But he was not fit enough to play two consecutive matches,’ said Minhajul.‘Now he looks fit and we hope the conditions in UK will also suit his bowling,’ he added.Ranked seventh in one-day internationals, the Tigers qualified for the Champions Trophy for the first time in more than a decade, having last played in the tournament in India in 2006.They will feature in Group A alongside hosts England, Australia and New Zealand and will open their campaign against England at the Oval on June 1.The Tigers, who will leave home on April 26, will hold a 10-day long camp at Sussex prior to the tournament and play the tri-series tournament in Ireland involving the hosts and New Zealand as part of their preparations.Selectors also named an 18-man squad for tri-series, adding Nurul, Subashis and Nasir to the Champions Trophy team.Nasir, who played 17 Tests and 58 ODIs, would return to the team with the tournament after missing out on the recent tours in New Zealand and Sri Lanka for poor form.He has been in good touch in recent matches, having scored a century in ACC Emerging Cup before remaining unbeaten in all three matches that he played so far in Dhaka Premier League. ‘He [Nasir] was taken in Emerging Cup squad so that he did not get alienated from international cricket,’ said Minhajul.‘We have seen his focus in international cricket. He was taken to the squad because we were satisfied with him.’Nasir also made it to the list of four standby players for the Champions Trophy along with Nurul, Subashis and Mohammad Saifuddin.Minhajul said Nurul would travel with the squad in UK during the Champions Trophy as a backup batsman and wicketkeeper while other two players would return after the tri-series.The tri-series will begin on May 12 with Bangladesh facing Ireland in the opening match.